Grapevine Plant Named &#39;Sheegene-4&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety characterized by a large green nearly-seedless grape with excellent flavor that ripens in the second week of September approximately eight weeks later than the Thompson Seedless Grape (unpatented). The berries of this new variety are produced on strong woody stems and branches and are very well adapted to commercial harvesting.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The claimed plant is not subject of a related application.

STATEMENT OF ANY FEDERALLY-SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

The claimed plant is not subject of Federally-sponsored research ordevelopment.

LATIN NAME OF THE GENIUS AND SPECIES OF THE PLANT CLAIMED

The claimed plant relates to a new and distinct variety of Vitisvinifera to be known as Sheegene-4.

VARIETY DENOMINATION

This invention relates to a new discovery and asexual propagation of anew variety of Vitis vinifera. The new variety was first hybridized byTimothy P. Sheehan of Porterville, Calif. in the spring of 2000; it ishighly productive and produces a large green nearly-seedless grape withexcellent flavor. The pollen parent is Autumn Seedless (unpatented) andthe seed parent is Red Globe (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 4,787). The newvariety first flowered in May 2003. The new variety of Vitis viniferawas first asexually propagated by Timothy P. Sheehan, grafted on Harmonyvirus-free rootstock in the dormant season of 2003/2004. Eight vines ofthe new variety were planted in a variety block of Vitis Vinifera in anarea near Fowler, Calif. on the west side of Thompson Road north ofAdams. The grapes produced by the new variety are larger than theThompson Seedless (unpatented) and have excellent flavor. The newvariety has been shown to maintain its distinguishing characteristicsthrough asexual propagation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of grapewhich will hereinafter be denominated as Sheegene-4 and moreparticularly as a grapevine which produces a green nearly-seedless tablegrape that matures during the second week of September in the SanJoaquin Valley of Central Calif. The new invention most closelyresembles Thompson Seedless (unpatented) but it produces a larger grapethat is very sweet taste, has excellent flavor, and matures at leasteight weeks later.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The claimed plant is characterized by producing a large greennearly-seedless grape with excellent flavor that is mature forharvesting and shipment during in the second week of September, and itcan be compared to the Thompson Seedless Grape (unpatented) but that itmatures about eight weeks later, among other distinguishingcharacteristics.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying drawing is a color photograph of the grapes produced bythe subject variety; several leaves are displayed as well as a typicalsection of the vine of the subject variety. Across the top of thecolored photograph on the left is a small cluster of berries; in thecenter is a shoot displaying tendrils and small leaves; and to the rightis a mature leaf displaying the upper surface and petiole. Across themiddle of the colored photograph on the left is a cluster of maturegrapes; in the center are four grapes cut in half longitudinally as wellas horizontally displaying the flesh and shape; and to the right is ashoot and tendrils including small leaves. Across the bottom of thecolored photograph on the left is a mature leaf displaying the lowersurface and a mature cane with small leaves displaying the nodes.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

Referring more to the horticultural description of the new and distinctvariety of grapevine, the following description has been observed underthe ecological conditions prevailing at the origin vineyard that islocated east of Fowler, Calif. in the San Joaquin Valley of CentralCalif.

All major color designations are by reference to the Dictionary of Colorby Maerz and Paul, First Edition, published in 1930. Common colors namesare also used in several instances.

-   Vine:    -   -   Size.—Large for a four year old vine.        -   Vigor.—Very good.        -   Chilling requirements.—Normal for grapes in San Joaquin            Valley of Central Calif.        -   Figure.—With wide cordons forming a “T” shape.        -   Production capacity.—Very good.        -   Regularity of bearing.—Regular.-   Trunk:    -   -   Size.—Medium — 13¼ inches (33.7 cm) in circumference, 27            inches above graft.        -   Surface texture.—Rough, shaggy.        -   Color of bark.—P1.7 E9 Kaffa Hamstead Brown.        -   Mature cane — color.—P1.13 G10 Pekinese.        -   Nodes — five on mature canes.—26 inches long (66.4 cm).        -   Length between nodes.—12.7 cm (5 inches).        -   Lenticel — numbers.—0.        -   Lenticel — size.—0.        -   Shoots — size.—Medium to large.        -   Shoots — length.—3¼ to 4.5 inches (8.23 to 11.43 cm).        -   Shoots — shape.—Droopy.        -   Tendrils — numbers.—One at nodes.        -   Tendrils — size.—Medium to large; 3¼ to 5 inches (8.23 to            12.7 cm).        -   Tendrils — location.—At node.        -   Tendrils form.—Bifurcate.        -   Tendrils — texture.—Firm, woody.        -   Buds shape.—Convex.        -   Buds size.—Medium; 7 mm (0.28 inches) in length, 5 mm (0.20            inches) in width.        -   Buds fruitfulness.—Very good.-   Branches:    -   -   Size.—Medium; 6.35 cm (2½ inches) circumference.        -   Surface texture.—Nearly smooth.        -   Cordons.—40 inches (101.6 cm) from trunk at one side, 34½            inches from trunk on other side.        -   Color — one year or older wood.—P1.7 E5 Mauve Rose.        -   Color — immature branches.—P1.19 L5 — Cosse gr.-   Leaves:    -   -   Size.—Generally large.        -   Density.—Dense.        -   Average length.—16.0 to 21.3 cm (6⅜ to 9⅛ inches).        -   Average width.—18.8 to 23.5 cm (7⅞ to 10⅛ inches).        -   Shape.—Pentagonal.        -   Texture — upper surface.—Smooth.        -   Texture — lower surface.—Glabrous.        -   Color — upwardly disposed surface.—P1.23 J8 Mt. Vernon            green.        -   Color — lower disposed surface.—P1.21 I7 Fern.        -   Color — leaf vein.—P1.17 K7 Viridine gr.        -   Glandular characteristics.—0.        -   Petiole size.—Large.        -   Petiole length.—15.7 to 18 cm (6 to 7 inches).        -   Petiole thickness.—9.8 mm (0.39 inches).        -   Petiole sinus form.—Upside down U-shape.        -   Lobes.—Normally four.        -   Tooth size.—Medium; 19.1 to 22.2 mm (¾ to ⅞ inches) in            width, 16.2 to 28.6 mm (0.638 to 1.126 inches) in length.        -   Tooth — number.—Four large normally between lobes.        -   Tooth — shape.—Convex.-   Inflorescence:    -   -   Size.—11.8 cm (4.65 inches).        -   Number borne — per spur.—One to two.        -   Number borne — per vine.—Many; 20 to 25.-   Flowers:    -   -   Flower buds — size.—Small.        -   Flower buds — surface.—Glabrous.        -   Flower buds — quantity.—Moderate.        -   Date of bloom.—May 15, 2006.        -   Date of full bloom.—May 20, 2006.        -   Size of bloom.—5 to 6 mm (0.20-0.24 inches).        -   Petal color.—P1.20 K6 Piquant green.        -   Petal size.—Small; 1 to 2 mm (0.039 to 0.078 inches).        -   Pistol color.—P1.17 L7 Viridine y.        -   Date of first visible berries.—May 20, 2006.        -   Size — generally.—Small; 2 mm (0.079 inches).-   Fruit:    -   -   Solids.—8.9.        -   Acid.—0.38.        -   Sugar/acid ratio.—49.7.        -   Juice pH.—3.78.        -   Seeds.—Rudimentary.        -   Seed numbers.—One to two.        -   Capstem pedicel.—8 mm (0.31 inches).        -   Berry weight.—11.36 grams.        -   Juice color.—P1.17 A6 Opaline gr.        -   Size.—Large.        -   Cluster — size.—Average length not including main stem; 22            to 23 cm (8.75 inches).        -   Cluster — average diameter at greatest width.—12.7 cm (5            inches).        -   Cluster — weight.—681.6 grams (1½ lbs.).        -   Compact.—Compact.        -   Cluster form.—Conical.        -   Stems — generally.—Large; 6 cm (2.86 inches) in length,            approximately 6 mm (0.024 inches) in width.        -   Berry size.—Large.        -   Berry form.—Ovate.        -   Berry number.—Approximately 60 per bunch.        -   Berry size — average dimension in longitudinal axis: 30 mm            (1.18 inches).        -   Berry size — average dimension in transverse axis.—22 mm            (0.87 inches).-   Skin:    -   -   Thickness.—Thin.        -   Texture.—Tough.        -   Tendency to crack.—None.        -   Blush color.—P1.19 K6 Sea green.        -   Ground color.—Pulp: Clear.        -   Lenticels.—0.-   Flesh:    -   -   Color.—P1.17 L7 Viridine y.        -   Juice production.—Good.        -   Flavor.—Very good.        -   Aroma.—Very mild.        -   Texture.—Firm.        -   Ripening.—Even.        -   Eating quality.—Very good to excellent.        -   Resistance to disease.—Unknown.        -   Harvesting.—Second week of September.        -   Shipping and handling qualities.—Very good.

1. A new and distinct variety of grapevine to be known as Sheegene-4 andthe parts thereof, substantially as illustrated and described,characterized principally by its production of grapes which mature laterin the season of ripening than does the Thompson Seedless Grape(unpatented) which it closely resembles, but from which it isdistinguished there from by producing clusters of nearly-seedless grapesthat are larger in size and sweeter in taste.